A family dispute took a deadly turn after a man murdered his daughter-in-law near Dharapuram as she allegedly refused to provide food for him.
According to police, Karuppannan (85), a farmer of Dhasanayakkenpatti village near Vellakovil, was residing with his son Karuppusamy for the past few years. Karupannan’s daughter was married and was living nearby.
A few months ago, he sold his land and got Rs 42 lakh. Of the total amount he handed over Rs 40 lakh to Karuppasamy and deposited the balance Rs 2 lakh in a bank branch in his name.
Meanwhile, Karupannan had a dispute with his daughter-in-law Theivathal (45) and he began to stay in the verandah of the house. He was also cooking food for himself.
Karupannan was meeting his expenses with the interest amount he was receiving for the fixed deposit of Rs 2 lakh. But what sparked his anger was that Theivathal was preparing a variety of food for her family members and never offered anything to Karupannan.
Irritated by her attitude, Karupannan on the night of April 6 stabbed Theivathal with a sickle thrice on the neck, when she was asleep. Hearing her screams, Karuppasamy and neighbours rushed her to the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital.
In the meantime, relatives of Theivathal attacked Karuppannan and he was admitted at Dharpauram government hospital.
On Wednesday night, Theivathal died without responding to the treatment.